With their traditional Halloween mash-up sets officially a thing of the past, fans of Umphrey’s McGee at The Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota, last night were treated to a pure, unadulterated Umphrey’s McGee show. The first of a two-night run and coming in hot off a scintillating performance at Hulaween the night before, Umphrey’s laid it all out on the table for this thriller, no filler, of a show.

The night was marked by a celebratory yet somber tone, as the band honored founding drummer Mike Mirro on what would have been his 40th birthday. Umphrey’s came out of the gates with a fire “Prowler”, before making its way into the prog-rock masterpiece that is “Mantis”. “Speak Up” expertly segued out of “Mantis,” and made its second appearance in one week’s time (the group played a standout version at The Capitol Theatre in NY last week—take a listen here), continuing its ascent to being a fan-favorite setlist pick. “Draconian” was well executed, as the group displayed their always-on-point technical proficiency. “Sweetness” found its way back into “Mantis” to put a close on the first set.

For the second set, Umphrey’s delved deep, opening up strong with an always welcome “Bright Lights, Big City”, which began a monster run of segues into Anchor Drops opening track “Plunger,” followed by “Puppet String” and “Andy’s Last Beer”. The group then came back up for some air, or rather the ethereal tune “Thin Air”, before bringing the set to a smashing close with a return to “Puppet String” and Brendan Bayliss wishing Mirro a Happy Birthday.

“Puppet String,” in particular, seemed to be a poignant choice on this of all nights, with lyrics like “Could somebody tell me, where does the time go?” and “If everyone’s so unsure of, what’s really below or above us, then maybe we all buy in, and make our own collective end,” it would be rather remiss to say that the gentlemen of Umphrey’s weren’t fully aware of what they were doing on this occasion in celebrating their fallen comrade.

“Phil’s Farm,” the first song off 2002’s Local Band Does O.K., and subsequently Mirro’s second and final album with the band prior to Kris Myers getting behind the kit, was played in dedication to their friend. The group will return to The Palace Theatre tonight to close out the two-night run. The show will be streamed via TourGigs.com. Check out the video of “Bright Lights, Big City” from last night below.

Setlist: Umphrey’s McGee | The Palace Theatre | St. Paul, MN | 10/28/17

Set One: Prowler > Mantis -> Speak Up > North Route -> Crucial Taunt, Draconian > Sweetness > Mantis

Set Two: Bright Lights, Big City > Plunger > Puppet String -> Andy’s Last Beer, Thin Air > Puppet String

Encore: Phil’s Farm

[Photo: Andrew Blackstein]